Welcome to Overland South, a weekend camping event for overlanding enthusiasts at the private, 6,000 acre Woodlands Nature Reserve in Charleston, SC. Bring your camper, RV, roof-top tent, converted van, refurbished school bus, stealth camper, motorcycle tent, or whatever. Don't own a fancy rig? No sweat, bring a tent and join the fun! With several lakes and over 30 miles of dirt roads and trails, this massive property is ours to explore. The venue invites us to explore miles of dirt roads and forest trails with licensed vehicles, bikes, or any electric mobility device (Onewheel, Sur Ron, you name it). Bring a canoe to explore the lake of your choice. Kayak tours of the pristine blackwater swamp are only available through Charleston Kayak Company (book early, spots are limited). Planned daytime sessions include mushroom foraging, a Raptor flight demonstration by the Center for Birds of Prey, metal forging, combat archery (don't worry, it's safe!), build-out techniques, and more. Live acoustic music in the evening led by Organic Music (bring your instrument if you have one!).
Tickets
Tickets are either a three day camping pass or a Saturday-only day pass. Attendance is limited, so click here to buy your tickets today!
Event Schedule*
Thursday, March 21st
3:00pm - 8:00pm - Optional early arrival! The venue owner has invited camping guests to arrive a day early if they wish. No trail riding until Friday at 11am, just an additional night of camping. We'll still be setting up, so please pardon our dust!
Friday, March 22nd
11:00am - Gates open. Check in then pick a camping spot by the lake (please avoid arriving at rush hour)
5:00pm - Community grill at the main tent. Bring your dinner and grill it on large community grill graciously provided by our sponsor SC Army National Guard. Come meet your fellow enthusiasts. BYO camp chair!
7:00pm - Happy Hour with entertainment by Organic Music, talented Americana musicians who encourage audience members to join in. If you have a guitar or other instrument (even if it's been in your closet for a few years) it's time to dust it off!
9:00pm - Night vision technology demonstration by the SC Army National Guard
10:00pm - Night ride!
Saturday, March 23rd
7:30am - Oatmeal Breakfast Bar provided by our sponsor Paradise RV Sales & Service.
7:30am - Roads, trails and lakes are open, go explore!
10:00am - Fossil presentation by Commercial Paleontologist Mark Bunce, presented by Palmetto Fossil Excursions and Folly Fossils N Art, followed by a fun surprise for the kids.
12:00pm - Raffle for a ride in an Army Humvee (one adult winner, one youth w/ parent winner)
12:00pm - On your own or Smoked Mac & Cheese and Chicken or Ribs from our Pit Master
2:00pm - Live Raptor Flight Demonstration by the Center for Birds of Prey
3:00pm - Mushroom Foraging talk and Edible Plant Foraging talk presented by mushroom expert Kenny Rupert and plant expert Adria Leigh Focht
4:00pm - Foraging walk in the woods lead by our wild edible experts
5:30pm - BBQ Dinner from the world famous John Haney of Alveron BBQ. If you haven't bought your dinner ticket yet, it's not too late.
6:30pm - Raffle drawing
7:00pm - Keynote Speakers: The Long, Strange Trip of Maintaining Public Access to Public Lands. Years ago Chris and Stephanie Ferraro, both professional car and supermoto racers who hold national and international racing records, began volunteering for the Wambaw Trail, one of the only OHV (Off Highway Vehicle) trails in the Lowcountry. They quickly found themselves in a web of conflicting government regulations, overlapping jurisdictions, and resolving heated conflicts between hunters, hikers, foresters, government officials and, most recently, ravenous developers. Chris and Stephanie alone have put in over 5,000 hours of volunteer time and have founded two non-profits for the effort, Southern Trail Advocates & Riders (STAR) and Wambaw Trail Riders to protect citizen access to public land, educate the public on important issues, and maintain and upkeep physical trails.
8:00pm - Happy Hour with entertainment by Organic Music, a few talented musicians who pluck members from the audience to participate in a song. If you have a guitar or other instrument (even if it's been in your closet for a few years) it's time to dust it off!
10:00pm - Night ride!
Sunday, March 24th
7:30am - Breakfast is up to you, but we'll have coffee and hot water available.
7:30am - Roads, trails and lakes are open, go explore!
10:00am - Challenge Course Style Competition: vehicles will compete in a judged competition to complete the Challenge Course in Style. Competitions include Jeep vs. Taco, Youtuber vs. Youtuber, and Humvee vs. Unimog. To be judged by a panel of experts (likely a handful of kids we pick from the crowd 😄)
12:00pm - Lunch on your own
2:00pm - Break camp, leave it cleaner than you found it
*Activities and schedule subject to change at any time. Join our WhatsApp group to receive announcements.
F.A.Q.
What should I bring?
The venue does not provide power or water, so you'll want to bring enough food and water to survive (and thrive!) the entire weekend. Bring trash bags, if you pack it in, prepare to pack it out. If you have an instrument (even if you haven't played it in years) bring it for Orangic Music Nights! Bring a flashlight.Are pets allowed?
Well-behaved, leashed pets are allowed. Some of the lakes have alligators, so you may wish to leave small pets at home.What kind of vehicles are allowed?
At the request of the venue, only registered/licensed vehicles (cars, trucks, motorcycles) are allowed on the trails, as well as bikes or any electric mobility device (Onewheel, Sur-Ron, etc.)Will you have trash cans?
This is a "Pack it in, Pack it out" event. Please plan to take home any garbage you may generate.Can I swim/fish or canoe the lakes?
The Woodlands Nature Reserve invites you to bring your own canoe to explore the lakes. Unfortunately swimming and fishing are not allowed. The pristine blackwater cypress swamp is only accessible by private tour with Charleston Kayak Company.I have a van, car-camper or RV but don't off-road, is this for me?
Yes! This event is primarily for people who are interested in "habitable vehicles" (even if they only have a tent) and we look forward to many RV's and DIY vans and trucks, and even some "Schoolies" attending. We have many activities and social hours planned, and the huge Woodlands Nature Reserve is open for exploration by bike, Onewheel, or even just good old fashioned walking.I don't have a camper, is this for me?
Sure! Many people will be in tents, but if you can always rent an RV or camper from our friends at Paradise RV.Isn't a "nature reserve" inconsistent with offroading?
The huge Woodlands Nature Reserve has opened the very rare invitation to us to explore 30+ miles of trails on their property. Of course, we expect all explorers to abide by TreadLightly.org's T.R.E.A.D. principles, and the speed limit for the entire property is 15 MPH. Explorers should take care to not damage the trails...except for two areas: the powerline trail and the recently harvested forest area. The power company has traditionally managed forest growth under the powerlines with an amazing amount of nasty chemicals. The Nature Reserve has finally bargained with the power company to not do that, on the condition that the Reserve can keep growth down on it's own. So, quite paradoxically, you will be helping nature by knocking down every sapling and plant you like on the Powerline Trail. There is a fair amount of topography on the Powerline Trail, including low ridges, ditches and bogs. If you want to get stuck out there, you definitely can.Can we have a campfire?
There will be a community fire pit at the main tent. You are welcome to have your own fire if you bring a raised fire pit.Where can I follow announcements during the event?
Announcements and communications will be through our Overland Conclave WhatsApp Community.Is this event weather-dependent?
This event is rain or shine! Programming is subject to change at any time, subscribe to our WhatsApp Community to receive updates.
